The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-10-19
POWDERLY'S MESSAGE.
The General Master Workman's
Annual Report to the Knights
of Labor.
He Fully Explains His Position on the
Anarchist. Denver, and Other
Questions.

the General Assembly of the knights of
Labor, recently in session at Minneapolis:
-The highest tribunal known TO the laws and
regulations, as well as TO the true and loyal
members OF the Order OF the Knights OF Labor,
is convened for the eleventh time in regular
session. / am 70 make 10 the repre- sentativ We
assembly report for the eighth lime / ask that
IL will receive that consideration at your hands
Viii IA its merits deserve, and that such recon-
mendations as may make will be received
and acted on according 70 their importance and
necessity. We adjourned year ago with dis
sension in our own ranks that dissension was
enlarged upon and scattered 70 the world by
enemies from within and from without. The
news OF discord reached the ears of the employ
ers OF labor. and they in many Instances took
advantage OF what they mistook for our weak
ness and rushed into conflict with our members
in various parts OF the country"
Mr. Powderly gave a complete history OF the
famous Chicago strike OF last year. All the
correspondence both telegraphic aud written
between MIR. Powderly aud Messrs. H. Is. Barry
and Carlton, who were in charge OF the strike
in Chicago. is quoted in full and reasons given
Tor each step taken.
Mr. Powderly then continued: THE relation
OF the order to anarchy has taken mp much
space in the public press and has been the sub
Ject OF 30 much discussion in the assemblies Of
some large cities, that IL is proper TO speak Of
II here and report to you my doings in connec-
ton herewith. Let me say here that have
never, as has been much asserted in the
press OF the land. confounded socialism with
anarchy. 1 draw wide line OF distinction be-
must. L will ask Of the General Assembly TO
define the position of the order on the attempts
that have been made TO prostitute ii 10 such
base uses as the anarchists would put it, / have
never publicly uttered u sentiment regarding
the course OF the seven men who are con-
demned TO death in Chicago this is wr ten
Sept. ~, 1881. will now give my opinion. II
these men did not have a fair trial such as is
guaranteed every man in the United States
then they should be granted new trial II
they have not been fonud guilty of murder
thew shOuld he t1,a 20 IN
hanged for the actions OF others, it is not Just
The man who threw the bomb in Chicago
should be hanged and his accomplices should
receive the punishment allotted to such otienses
by the laws OF the State OF Illinois,
All letters relating TO the anarchy subject
were quoted at length The Denver question
was given in FULL and OF the matter Mr.. Pow
derby said Il regarded the whole affair as an
outrage and the questions as being impairment
rascally, and prompted by malice or revenge.
The resolution which should pass is one to de-
mand that every avowed anarchist should be
obliged 20 Withdraw from the order or be ex-
PEELED. We have nothing To fear from the trade
union, but everything 70 fear from the contain
mating influence of the men who preach de-
struction in the name of our order, and who at
the same time assert that they are socialists,
while giving the lie To every principle of social
ism when they advocate violence of any kind.
As To the Home Club believe that this report
would not be complete without an explanation
of my knowledge Of the Home Club OF New
York and the abuse and rdicule which have
been heaped upon me for the last two years in
consequence OF my supposed connection with it.
Now, intend TO speak plainly and candidly."
Mr.. Powderly quoted volumnous correspond
ence and related incidentally the facts as known
to him Of the attempt made to take his life in
1883.
Mr. Powderly continued: For a long time
after the adjournment OF the last General As
sembly there was no action taken by the Gen
eral Executive Board on the resolution OF expul-
sion OF the cigarmRkers. From great many
places Il demand was made TO have the resolu-
ton carried out, and the board was finally
obliged 70 take action did not favor that reso-
luton at Richmond, and do not favor il now
believe that il was wrong and in violation OF the
laws of the order. Soon after it was promul-
gated by the board prepared n decision regard
ing il and intended to lay it before the board.
did not present the decision to the board, and
kept IL until now present it for the consider
alton Of the General Assembly"
The decision is carefully prepared and ex-
presses Mr.. Powderly's belief that the resolu-
tion is unconstitutional and Of no binding effect
except as Il warning.
After completing his defense Mr.. Powderly
said: Il now desire TO make some recon-
mendations to the General Assembly, and do
most respectfully ask that more consideration
be given To them than has been given TO others
that made to past general sessions. i believe
the day has come to ask at the hands of Con-
gross the passage of II law creating Depart
ment OF Labor ut the seat OF the National Gov
eminent. We have to-day q Department OF
War; We do not need il at all in comparison TO
n Department Of Labor. The prosperity OF the
whole country rests on the broad shoulders OF
before the nation and the world us the ques-
ton of labor Nearly every action taken now
by the Executive or his Cabinet deals in one
way or another with tue question of labor Its
ramifications extend everywhere. its power / s
felt everywhere, and its usefulness is now
recognized everywhere. 1 believe that the
Government of the United States should oper-
ate its own lines of telegraph"
Il believe that il is absolutely necessary for
the welfare and prosperity of the country that
the Government establish n telegraph sys-
tam 70 ha I cd i'm ha m If hn
recommend that steps be taken TO have the
next Congress act on DILL TO establish gov
ernlnental telegraph, to be run in connection
with the postal service. L believe that we
should go before the next Congress asking for
the passage of but one or two measures. They
should be important ones, aud the full strength
OF the organization should be behind those who
make the demand. i believe however, that
nothing can be more important than the pass
age OF laws creating governmental telegraph
and a National Department OF Labor.
To deal knowingly and intelligently with
the questions in our declaration of principles
we should have journal published under the
control OF tho order which would reach every
member 1t should have a department espe-
cially devoted 70 the discussion of these very
questions. 1t must make n radical change in
the methods of educating our members. In the
journal q Sept. 10 l published an outline
sketch Of a plan for the regulation OF State,
Territorial, mixed and trade assemblies. / will
do no more at this time thnn to draw the atten-
ton of the General Assembly TO the matter, nnd
ask either that or n better plan be adopted for
the regulation OF the order. One thing that
draws our members away from us is the faci ill
ties afforded them to secure assistance OF a
pecuniary nature in other organizations, some
OF whom are not in sympathy with our order
and IL our members could but receive the relief
in the order which is guaranteed TO them out
side Of IL we would have them with US all the
time. l recommend the adoption Of a universal
benefit plan.
The question OF my being member OF the
Socialist organization has been made the sub
ject so much comment Of late That believe
ii but fair to this General Assembly to maze
known my connection with socialism, or rather
with the men who in former years were at the
head OF the Socalistio Labor party. In 1880
Philip Van Patten, the Nat onal Secretary OF
the Socialistic La or party. was n member OF
the General Executive Board Of the Knights Of
Labor. became very intimate with him, and
we frequently discussed the various inca ures
OF reform which all men in the movement re-
garded as OF importance. He sent me red
card OF membership some time abouttn month
OF August, 1880 The card was paid up by him
for three months. regarded IL as IA compli-
mentary act on the part OF Brother Van Patton.
i saw, however. that the declaration Of prnci-
all of socialism that cared Do
advocate, and / never took any action
on the card, except TO keep it as n
memento of the days when we were associated
az officers of this association. 1 never cast a
vote for the candidates OF that party, was never
a member OF any of it's sections, and had no
connection with IL except in the manner re-
is not advocated by the socialists; the connsc
tlon Of property or the distribution OF wealth,
or, in fact the bestowing Of wealth or means on
those who have not worked or earned IL, is not
socialism; it is robbery; ~ IL rapine, and no
sane man can advocate such n doctrine. II be-
- - 49,. -. L.